July 13, 2010

"Blue skies" is the term that the network's executives sometimes use to describe what USA's shows offer -- weekly doses of escapism featuring slightly offbeat characters, settings or professions. Emphasis on the "slightly." USA is tonally a world away from anything on FX or AMC; things on USA shows aren't ever supposed to get too heavy.

So why does "Covert Affairs" (9 p.m. Central Tuesday; 1.5 stars) a new USA show that features tropical beaches, skydiving and spy games, feel so leaden? True, it's not exactly heavy, but it also isn't particularly engaging.

There are quite a few chase scenes and action sequences as newly minted CIA spy Annie Walker (Piper Perabo) gets on-the-job training in the pilot episode, but those scenes end up being quite boring, because the show and Perabo's performance don't do much to make the viewer care about Annie or her goals. During one chase scene, I found myself more concerned about the random passersby that Annie might careen into than in the spy herself. Less action, more character development and a more charismatic lead might have helped "Covert Affairs" stand out from the crowded summer cable calendar, but as it is, I can't see a reason to tune in again.

There's something a bit joyless and rote about "Covert Affairs," which is odd, given that so many other shows have ably mined the comedy and coolness of espionage capers in recent years. "Alias," the series that "Covert Affairs" instantly brings to mind, wisely grounded its baroque spy shenanigans in familial drama and also boasted a lead actress who brought a winning vulnerability and versatility to her role.

Walker, on the other hand, isn't particularly compelling, and her boss, Joan (Kari Matchett) is downright humorless and mean. Christopher Gorham does his usual fine work as Auggie, one of Annie's CIA colleagues and Peter Gallagher is fine as a top Agency official, but the great Anne Dudek is wasted in the nothing role of Annie's sister.

Like so many other new shows this summer, the uninspired "Covert Affairs" is assembled from spare parts and elements that have been used better elsewhere (and if this trend continues, I may imitate Time critic James Poniewozik and just keep re-using one review for every new cable show this summer, something along the line of James' formulation: "Hey, everybody! A basic-cable network is premiering a light, escapist procedural about cops and/or spies with personality quirks and gritty, but not alienatingly challenging, cases!"). If the shows themselves aren't going to put much work into originality, why should critics? (By the way, I felt similarly to James about TNT's "Rizzoli & Isles").

Lastly, "Covert Affairs" commits one of my cardinal script-writing sins (Let's review: No character is ever allowed to say a variation of "That went well!" after things don't go well. That has not been acceptable dialogue for more than a decade now).

At least "Covert Affairs" is directed with typical competence by actor-director Tim Matheson, who is emerging as USA's go-to guy (he frequently directs for the network and has an excellent recurring role on "Burn Notice"). Even so, Matheson is used far better in the enjoyable Season 2 premiere of "White Collar" (8 p.m. Central Tuesday, three stars).

I gave "White Collar" a fair amount of grief for a hackneyed, melodramatic reveal in one of its Season 1 cliffhangers, but I have to give the show credit where it's due: There's a reveal at the end of the Season 2 premiere that is very juicy indeed (and it's handled just right).

Before that happens, though, there's a lot to enjoy: the crisp pace; the rapport between Tim DeKay and Matthew Bomer as Peter Burke and Neal Caffrey, an FBI agent and the criminal who helps him catch bad guys; the comedic scenes between DeKay and Willie Garson, who plays Neal's underworld pal Mozzie; and Matheson as the guest star of the week -- he gets a shady role beautifully suited to his talents.

"White Collar" may not be reinventing television as we know it, but it's gotten better at delivering on its strengths -- light character drama and caper-ish crime proceedings . Not every weekly plot is a winner and the ongoing story about Neal's ex feels as though it may not go the distance, but those are relatively minor quibbles.

"White Collar" looks pretty great too, in contrast to the many cheap-looking scripted shows I keep seeing on TV, especially in summer. The show uses New York locations well and there's even a nice shot of the blue skies surrounding a luxury penthouse.

Comments

Ir I want to listen to music I will listen to a CD. The music on "Covert Affairs" is so distraacting and loud to the point of drowning out the dialogue. About half way through I turned the program off. Could be a winner but tone down the music. Always enjoy "White Collar".

Agree on most counts. Loved the premiere of White Collar; the banter between Neal and Peter was even more enjoyable now that the actors have settled into their roles, and thrilled to have Diana back (Natalie Morales just never managed to fit in with the rest of the cast last season). Kind of disappointed in Covert Affairs, but willing to stick it out a few more episodes to see if it improves. Chris Gorham's Auggie was the most enjoyable part of the show for me.

Covert Affairs is like "Alias with one tenth the ambition meets Grey's Anatomy." Some of the action scenes were okay. (One thing TV action choreographers often seem to forget is that the excitement of car chases is usually directly proportional to the number of other cars on the road; they at least got that right.) But when the opening scene is a lie detector test and the whole thing is about her past relationships (rather than, say, "answer these questions correctly or SD-6 puts a bullet in your brain") we're know we're not watching top-notch spy drama.

I was very intertained by Covert Affairs. I thought the show was very good. I did not like the acting of Tim Mattheson. The actor that plays the blind man is awesome. The lead actress is also very good. Thank you for your imput everyone. I am sorry you didn't like the show but I DID.

So, why can't we get a show that focuses on Christopher Gorham? I mean, he was the only thing that made me try and watch Covert Affairs, but I'm not sure he's enough to keep me watching it. I still miss is short-lived sci-fi Jake 2.0. That was an entertainingly mindless show. Not really ever sure I've seen Piper P act. But maybe I can give this one more chance....

By the way, remember when there was nothing to watch in the summer except repeats, and that sucked? Well now there is so much that I watch new in the summers that it feels more jam packed than September! Thank God for DVR.

I did like Gorham in Covert Affairs. I'm willing to give it another episode or two. Your assessment of Covert Affairs was somewhat spot-on. Dudek is being wasted in the show as the sister. Perabo had never really impressed me with any of her work. I can't even compare Alias vs. Covert Affairs.

I liked the season premiere of White Collar. DeKay and Bomer have settled into nice rhythm.
I do love Wilie Garson as Mozzie. He definitely adds to the show.

I think Matheson does a good job with directing and also acting in a variety of USA shows. i keep waiting for him to pop up on Psych as either a director or a villain.

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